Stove construction



Dec. 15, 1931. "L. DANA 1,836,578

STOVE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 15, 1931. L DANA STOVE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4, 1928 4 Sheets-$11eet Dec. 15, 1931. L DAM STOVE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 4, 1928 vlllll/lll llllfilla a a I gnw'ntoc j LESLIE DANA, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T0 CHARTER Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI STOVE CONSTRUCTION Application filed April 4, 1928. Serial No. 267,401.

This invention pertains to cast iron or cast steel cooking stoves or ranges, particularly domestic ranges of the type burning either coal or wood, although the principles embodied in certain features thereof are equally applicable to stoves of other types, such as gas or electric ranges.

My invention aims to provide a stove of sanitary construction and pleasing appearance, especially designed to be finished in enamel, and easily kept clean both outside and inside. A further aim is to provide for maximum lire box and oven capacity with minimum floor space.

Another aim is to improve the construction of a cast stove by having a minimum number of separate pieces, thereby avoiding seams as far as possible, particularly in expmsed places and where difficult of access, and also reducing costs of assembly, as well as strengthening the structure.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment illustrating the principles thereof, wherein the same reference characters apply to the same elements in all figures, and wherein Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing the top, front and fire box end of my stove;

Fig. 2 is a similar view oft-he fire box portion looking from the oven side; and

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the firebox end of the stove,- Figs. 1, 2 and 3 being drawn to the same scale;

Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal vertical cross section; drawn to a larger scale than {Figs 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 5'is a vertical cross section through the fire box end, on the line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing one grate and part of the fire box lining in eleva- HOD;

Fig. 6 is asimilar section through the oven, on the line 66 of Fig. 4, thetop and lids being omitted;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of certain details of the oven fines and bottom, on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail of the bottom oven flue arrangement, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows, partly in section and partly in elevation;

Fig. 9 is a cross section partly through the oven door and partly through the front Wall, illustrating the door hinge and spring in closed and openpositions;

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the fire box door hinge and latch; and

Fig. 11 is an isometric, View of the grate land operating parts removed from the fire OAK STOVE & RANGE The general appearance of the stove illus- V trating the invention may be discerned in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,-and the internal arrangement and construction is best seen in Figs. 4 to 11. The drawings show a cooking range of the type having at one end a fire box 1 and ashpit 2 (see'Figs. 4 and 5), together constituting the combustion chamber, separated by a shaking grate comprising a plurality of bars 3, 8, and an oven 4 adjacent thereto, around which the products may circulate, surmounted by a flat top 5 of convenient design, with a plurality of removable rectangular plates 6 and round lids 7, and supported on a base 8 comprising four legs 9 joined by intermediate sections 10, 11. Accessory features, such as shelves, warming ovens, and the like (not shown) may be 'attached or omitted asdesired, these features being well known and forming no part of the invention.

For convenience I herein show and describe Q my stove as having the fire box at the left end, which is usual in the art.

1 The external casing comprises the top 5 and five principal plate members, namely four side or end walls 12-, 13, 14 and 15, and a bottom 16, all fitted to each other by concealed flanges and bolted together interiorly, making externally flush joints. Each of the plate members will ordinarily be an integral casting. Theexposed surface of the casing may be enamelled, except for the top 5, which is usually of smooth black or polished finish, with a quarter-round edge rail 17, preferably polished to match. The

bottom 16 and back 14, which are ordinarily of combustion concealed from view, may be. of rough black finish.

All connecting elements, such as bolt heads, lugs and so on, pertaining to the front and ends are arranged not to protrude through or be visible on the outside, all door hinges and latches are concealed, and all handles and knobs are made as inconspicuous as possible, the principal ones being cast integral with the parts to which they apply, and exteriorly stream-lined so that the visible surface will be almost entirely free from projections, thus resembling in appearance a single polished block of enamel.

To enhance the artistic effect and carry out the unitary appearance, the left end 12 and front 13 of the casing are swelled outward and in again from bottom to top, and the extreme top portion 18 is molded out on a curve of shorter radius, meeting the bottom of the quarter-round top rail 17 so as to form therewith a smoothly rounded top edge without overhang or irregularity. The upright edges or corners 19 of the casing are likewise curved vertically and rounded to carry out the effect.

Since the appearance of the back of the stove is of little importance, no attempt is made to stream-line it. Consequently, in order to finish the left end 12 in an artistic mann r and avoid an unsightly junction be tween the irregular back and the smoothly curved left end, a finishing piece 20 (see Fig. 3, also partly visible in Fig. 1) is secured along the rear upright edge of the left end. The top of this piece is relatively wide, as at 21, and the bottom narrow, as at 22, to conform to the difference in width of the stove at top and bottom, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 5. This piece 20 is suitably molded to the characteristic configuration of the left end, and is vertically grooved, as at 23, and apertured, as at 24 and 25, to permit the mounting and operation of a. grate shaker handle 26 described below.

The left end 12 of the casing is perforated to provide a series of draft openings 27 to the fire box, adapted to be regulated by an interior sliding shutter 28 (see Fig. 4:) moved by an external knob 29,thereby permitting the fire to be controlled as desired, no other regulator being required aside from the usual flue damper (not shown).

The right end 15, as best seen in l-ig. 4;, is curved along the front edge to conform to the shape of the front, as shown by the dotted lines 30, but this curved front portion from top to bottom is v rtically rounded inwardly and rearwardly back into a plane surface 31 which constitutes the major area. of this end. The top and rear margins of this end plate 15 are finished by quarterround receding edges such as 32, (Figs. 4 and 7) flanged toengage with the stove top 5 and the back plate 14, respectively. The bottom iart of the plate 15, instead of having a short bend, slopes inward on a long gentle curve (Fig. 1-) at the bottom of which an inward L-shaped flange 34 is formed for engagement with the bottom plate 16. Access to the space beneath the. oven is had through a clean-out opening near the bottom, normally closed by a removable flush cover 35 held in place by two recessed integral end flanges 36, Fig. 7, on the end plate, and by an upper deep and lower shallow flange 37 and 38, respectively (Fig. 4) on the cover.

At the right end, the top 5 of the stove carries an end rail 39 with inner and outer flanges 40, shaped to provide a support for the top plates 6. To make a smooth outer edge effect, this end rail is finished off by a detachable molding, or end shelf 11, made of two parts, a polished quarter-round bar 12 the same the top rail 17 and rounded at the ends, below which is a rounded enamelled bar as, curved in at its lower edge against the right end plate 15 of the stove casing, the two being secured by a concealed flange and concealed bolts so as to give them a smoothly curved outer surface.

Fingers 1 inside this to rail piece take through holes'in the end ange 40 to hold the end shelf securely in place although permitting ready detachment. By this construction the horizontal edge of the right end of the stove top is neatly finished in a manner harmonious with the general arrangement, but in a way to permit the ready substitution of a larger shelf, hot water tank, or other attachment in place of the molding 41.

The base 8 is of the type disclosed by my U. S. Patent No. 1,566,835, issued December 22, 1925, composed of legs and connecting members having flush joints, and aslo providing smooth. enamel surface junctions between them and the stove casing, thereby presenting a smoothly curved exterior, enamelled execept on the rear, in harmony with the general design of the stove. For this purpose the outer edge of the bottom flange of each of the upright plate members 12, 13, 14 and 15 is flush with the top edge of the base, as shown by Figs. 1, 5 and 6, and the inner depending extremity 34 thereof fits into the edge channel 100 of the bottom 16. Lugs 45 projecting inwardly at the corners near the top edge of the base support the stove bottom 16, which in turn supports the side walls 12, 13, 14 and 15. A filler block 46 is fastened inside the lower part of the back of each leg 9 to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt on the floor behind the bottom of the leg. The top faces of these blocks are inclined, as at 47, to further reduce the lodgement of dust.

The front plate 13 carries doors 50, 51 and 52, giving access to the fire box 1, the ashpit 2 and the oven l, respectively. The openings In I wherein these doors fit have recessed flanges, against which the doors shut, bringing the outer door surfaces flush with the front plate surface 13, as is apparent in Figs. '2, 5, 6 and 10. a

In all doors the hinges'are of the slidingarm hook-shaped type, passing through openings in the door flanges, which openings serve as the stationary member of they hinges enabling the doors to be hinged to the front plate 13 without the use of leaves, lugs or projections of any sort fastened thereto, either inside or outside. The inner ends of the hinge arms are headed to stop them from passing out of their respective openings and so being disconnected when the doors are swung open, but allowing disconnection by a lifting movement.

Certain details of my improved door construction are best shown in Fig. in their application to the fire box door and in Figs. 2 and 5 in their application to the ashpit door 51 and oven door 52. Fig. 9 also shows oven door details. The horizontally pivoted fire box door 50, see Figs. 5 and 10, on account of the heat to which it is exposed, has as its principal element a cast iron liner 53, partially curved to follow the shape of the stove, the hinges 54 with integral transverse heads 55 being cast thereon, and a latch 56 being riveted thereto. A facing plate 57, conforming to the curvature of. the stove, and enamelled, is fastened to the liner by a screw being held in spaced relation to the liner by the offset edges of the liner clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 10. This plate 57 includes the integral handle 58, which like the handles on the doors 51 and 52, is a curved brow overhanging and concealing an aperture in the door plate thereunder, the brow also being open at the bottom without sharp edges, and harmonizing with the graceful flowing curves of the stove body. The recess into which the door 50 fits is formed by L-shaped flanges,

. such as 60, Fig. 10, with appropriate recesses 61 and 62 for spectively.

On all three doorways the rabbet edect of the concealed flanges of the openings conibines with the edges of the doors and liners to make a sufficiently air-tight fit with very hinge and latch engagement, re-

little grinding or machining of the castings.-

The ashpit door 51, vertically pivoted. is composed of an outer casting 65, and a suitable liner 66. The casting 65 is curved to conform to the contour of the stove and enamelled except on the inner surface, and includes as integral elements a handle 67, hinge arms 68 and 69, a latch 70 and liner screw lug 71. The hinge arms 68 and 69 are movable in apertures 72 and 73 in the flange 74. On account of the vertical pivoting of the door, it is necessary to provide only he upper hinge arm 68 with a transverse head 7 5.

The oven door 52 is of the same general type as the ashpit door51, comprising a casting with integral handle 81 and hinges 82, and a lining 83 of sheet iron secured on its inner face by screws.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6 each of the door handles 58, 67 and 81 is formed integral with the door surface, and these handles conceal apertures formed in the door facin'g plates 57, 65 and 80, respectively. These handles, being quite thin with a considerable surface exposed to the air, remain relatively cool, and the apertures under the handles allow the insertion of the fingers to grasp the handles without contact with the hotter main bodies of the facing plates. aperturing of the facing plates allows the handles to be formed with less rise from the surface of the facing plates, thus contributingto the stream-lined appearance of the stove.

The hinges pass through holes 84 inthe doorway flange 85, (Fig. 2). This door is counterbalanced, as illustrated in Fig. 9, by a spiral spring 86 held between an ear 87 on the inside of the front plate 13 and a head .88 on the end of the hinge 82. A guide rod '89 pivoted at the bottom to the head 88, passes up through the spring 86 and through a hole in the ear 87. It will be understood that the oven door has two similar hinges, only one of which is shown in Fig. 9, and that the same counterbalance mechanism is used on each. Each hinge and counterbalance is protected by a cover such as 90. Fig. 5. The operation of this counterbalance is obvious from a comparison of the closed (solid line) and open (dotted line) positions of the door.

as shown in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 1 the-oven door 52 is shown as fitted with an oven ventilator 91, such as forms the subject-matter of my U. S. Patent No. 1,649,449, granted November 15, 1927, although this is not in itself a feature of my present invention.

cast plate 1 1- of irregular shape, the bottom and ends being in a common plane and flanged to fit the adjoining plate members, while the top is carried out beyond the bottom, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, partly by a boxlike extension forming the end of the fire boX 1, and partly by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined overhang 96. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a section of the back plate 14 behind the oven is also extended out In addition, the

The back of the stove casing isa single The outer wall of the encircling and back U-shaped flange is formed along its lower edge with a downward shallow strengthening rib, which at the corners of the stove is widened somewhat to form bearing supports adapted to rest on the corner lugs of the boss.

This construction is particularly advantageous with an enamel-finished stove of the stream-line type because the slightly increased flange depth the corners raises the stove body just sufiiciently to prevent chipping of the enamel along the top of the base and the bottom of the vertical side wall plates. without elevating the body high enough to allow lodgement of dirt thereon, or to break the continuity of appearance.

The fiat top surface of the bottom 16 with the depending encircling edge flange 100, constituting an inverted bottom as compared with the usual construction, avoids catching dirt, and makes the bottom pit easyto keep clean.

The bosses 101 on the underside of the bottom plate 16, one near each corner, allow the stove assembly minus base and legs to be set on a floor or platform leaving suffi cient space for a finger-hold under the edges, thus facilitating handling. This construction also makes i possible to assemble the stove on the bottom plate 16 with the bottom nuts on the outside, inasmuch as the bosses 101 are of greater depth than the projections of the assembling bolts. The under side of the bottom plate is suitably reinforced, as by a central rectangular rib 102, from the corners of which diagonal ribs 103 run to the bosses 101, as best indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7. V

As particularly illustrated in Figs.4 and 5, the upper face of the bottom plate 16 includes a pair of transverse ribs 104 between two pairs of thin curved and inclined lugs 105. constituting slides and guides for an ashpan 106. A little to the right of these another transverse rib 107 is provided to engage the bottom of a vertical plate 108, which is part of the oven and fire box assembly described below.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, the fire box 1, herein shown as adaptable to burn either wood or coal, carries fluted lining slabs, preferably of cast iron, at front, back and ends, the front and back slabs 111 and 112 having fingers 113 at the bottom to hold the fuel while allowing access of air. Small holes 114 near the top of the front slab 111 permit a. slight ingress of air above the fire. An asbestos backing strip 115 on the front slab 111 cuts down the escape of heat to the outside of the stove. The front end slab 116 is usually kept in place when burning coal, to save the door from the injurious effects of the coal gases. It is contemplated that one of the top lids will be removed to feed a coal fire. lVhen burning wood the slab 116 is removed so that sticks may be thrown in through the door 50.

As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the rear end extension 95 is cut off from the fire box proper by means of the rear end slab 117. A water coil may be located in this space, although such a coil is not a feature of the present invention and is accordingly not illustrated. The usual water pipe holes 118 and pivoted covers 119 are provided.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 11, the grates 3 are of the duplex type, rotatable on trunnions 120 carried in bearings at either end of the fire box.

The bearings at the rear consist, respectively, of a pocket 121 and of a hole 122, both in the back plate 14, and those at the front comprise forwardly-tending hooks 123, (Fig. 2) cast integral with front plate 13, and covered by a. trunnion-retaining cap 124, Fig. 5, (omitted from Fig. 2).

Each grate bar is of generally triangular cross section, having only two effective faces, one concave 130, with relatively large rectangular openings 131, and the other convex 132, with smaller elliptical openings 133. Either pair of faces may be used to support the fire, according to the nature of the fuel, the concave faces 130 ordinarily being used for coal and the convex 132 for wood.

Shaking of the grate, or change of the faces used, is accomplished by the lever 26 per manently mounted on the left end of the stove, the handle of said lever extending above and slightlyaway from the stove top 5 so as to remain cool. The lever 26 is ful crumed to a lug 135, Fig. 4, cast on the rear end lining slab 117 of the fire box 1, which lug projects through the aperture 24 in the finishing piece 20 (Fig. 3). Referring particularly to Fig. 11, the lower end of said lever is connected by a link 136 to an arm 137 secured to the rear end of one of the grate trunnions 120 which extends out through the hole 122 in the back plate 14. The two grate bars 3 are interconnected by segmental gears 138, at their front ends so as to oscillate in unison when the lever 134 is shaken.

An apron 139 positioned beneath the grates and extending around three sides of the fire box directs falling ashes into the ashpan 106.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, heated air and products of combustion pass from the fire box 1 over the top of the oven 4, and may be allowed to go directly to the chimney flue 144 or forced to travel down around the right end and underneath the oven, according to wether a flue opening 145 in the overhang 96 is open or is closed by a sliding damper 146 movable by a handle 147 accessible at the rear of the stove top, and connected to the damper by a bar 148.

The formation of the oven 4 is best seen in Figs. 4 and 6. A unitary transverse vertical plate 108,which extends the fullwidth of the interior of the stove casing,'and from the botton 16 to within a short distance of the top 5, forms the left end of the oven and separates it from the fire box and ashpit chamber, besides supporting the oventop 151 and oven floor 152. As illustrated in F i g. 5, this plate, together with the oven top, furnishes a base for a post 153, giving intermediate support to the stove top 5. From the level of the oven bottom to the level of the fire box bottom, this plate is bulged forward as shown at 15.4, Fig. 4, increasing the capacity of the lower part of the oven. The inside of the bottom curve 155 of this bulge forms a art of theoven floor, and is flanged to fit with the oven floor plate 152. which is appropriately secured thereto. The outside of the top curve 156 of the'bulge constitutes part of the fire box support. The right end wall 157 of the oven is supported, together with the right end of the bottom 152, by lugs 158 on the front and back plates 13 and 14 of the exterior casing. The upper surface of the oven top plate 151 is provided with cross-ribs 159, and shelf-holding lugs 160 are cast on the inside of the left and right walls, thereby strengthening the oven structure.

All the corners of the oven are rounded as shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 7, and the floor plate 152 is corrugated, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the lines of the corrugations running perpendicular respectively to each of the four edges of said plate.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the draft connection to the stove pipe and chimney is by means of a trough-like casting or fine piece 165 fitted on the back of the oven extension 97, covering almost the entire width of the oven back, and reaching from the bottom of the stove casing to just below the top rear rail. Suitable means for an air-tight fit are provided, herein shown as flanges 166, best seen in Fig. 7. Besides the top flue 145, a bottom ue 167, beneath the oven, leads into the flue 144, from which products of combustion are carried away as usual through a hole 168 in the flue piece 165 near its top, surrounded by a pipe collar 169.

To cause complete circulation of heat beneath the oven when the top damper is shut, a bottom baffle is hinged to the under side of the oven floor plate 152. This baffle, shown in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, extends diagonally into the middle of the space below the oven. A satisfactory baflle construction, herein shown, comprises a cast leaf 171 with an integral pintle at each end of the top. The inner pintle 172 is held loosely in a gudgeon 173 beneath the middle of the oven floor, while the outer pintle 174 passes out through a hole in the back 14, and ends in a down-turned handle 175. When down, the outer edge of the leaf 171 rests against a rib 176 inside the back plate 14 of the stove casing, and constrains the draft passing beneath the oven to follow the AA, Fig. 152.

path indicated by the arrows 7, thus heating the entire floor In case this is not desired, or in case the By raisentirety.

my improved stove is characterized by compactness and strength combined with a pleasing appearance. The curved front and sides free from sharp door openings are particularly suited to enamel finish, and may be readily kept clean because of their freedom from sharp or dirtcatching projections, and becausethe rounded surfaces and smoothness of the exterior enable it to be quickly and easily wiped off. The enamel finish protects the sides and ends from rusting, the nickel top rail is easily kept polished, and only the top and flues need occasional cleaning.

The oven construction is such as to permit easy cleaning, by reason of the rounded corners, and its design is such as to utilize the heat advantageously, being nearly surrounded by the bottomdraft flue and the wide rear outside flue 144. The door handles are substantial and readily grasped, even with a cloth in the hand, as is frequently done by housewives, and the external shaking lever is a great convenience, preventing the annoyance of stooping over and fitting on a detachable handle whenever the fire must be shaken, and the ashes may be removed readily. The

grate and fire box areso made as to permit ready change from coal to wood, or the reverse.

From a mechanical standpoint this stove is characterized by a relatively small number of fairly large separate parts, many hav angles and with recessed ing combined functions, and byhaving those parts which are to be enamelled so shaped as to allow the enamel to spread itself freely and smoothly thereon.

In this manner difficulties in dipping and baking the enamelled castings are avoided. The cost of assembly is reduced and the speed of setting up is increased by having few parts, with an almost complete absence of small fittings, such as detachable hinges and handles.

The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment herein shown and described, but what I-claim is as follows:

1. In combination, as a part of a stove havinga generally smooth surface characterized by harmoniously continuing curves, an end shelf comprising as its upper element a substantially quarter round hollow bar adapted to match the edge of the .stove top and having rounded ends, and asits lower element a wider similar bar, said bars being permanently secured together to form a unitary structure adapted to fit snugly but removably against the body of said stove at the top of one end, and to constitute a finishing member harmonizing with the general curved effect.

2. In a stove, in combination, a plurality of grates adapted for simultaneous movement, a lever external to said stove permanently operatively connected to said grates, a fulcrum for said lever rigidly connected to a portion of the lining of said stove, and an extension of the outer surface of said stove between said lining and said lever.

3. In a stove, in combination, a combustion chamber and grate-moving means, said cham- F ber including grates and lining slabs, and

, 7 link and gears, and

a depression in said edge and in said finishing plate adapted to house said lever partially whereby to carry out the stream-line effect of said range, said finishing plate being apertured for the passage of operative connections to said lever.

5. In a stream-lined enamel finished cooking range having a rounded top edge, a permanently mounted external grate shaking lever and a body finishing plate between said lever and the main body of said stove and pression in its front face,

below and abutting said edge, said finishing plate being apertured for the passage of operative connections to said lever.

6. In combination with a heated compartment of a stove presenting a smoothly curved exterior suitable for coating, a door comprising an inner cast liner formed with integral door hinge elements and provided with outwardly extending offset edges defining a deand an outer facing plate suitable for coating and conforming to the curvature of the stove, secured against said liner and covering the depression therein, thereby providing an air space within said door, said outer wall embodying an aperture communicating with said air space and a curved brow rising in easy curves from its exterior surface and overhanging said aperture and open at the bottom to constitute a handle insulated from the heat of said compartment by said air space.

7. In combination with a heated compartment of a stove presenting a smoothly curved exterior; a door comprising inner and outer Walls, saidouter wall curving to conform to the general shape of the stove and lying flush with the exterior thereof and said inner wall comprising offset edges secured against said outer wall and disposing said inner Wall interiorly of said stove in spaced relation to said outer wall to provide an air space therebetween, said outer wall further comprising an aperture communicating with said air space and a curved brow rising in easy curves from its exterior surface and overhanging said aperture and open at the bottom to con-' stitute a' handle insulated from the heat of said compartment by said air space.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LESLIE DANA. 

